frequent urination

Hi guys-looking for a little guidance. My 14 month old male made quite a few trips to the litter box this am, each time peeing a thimbleful of urine. I would estimate 4-5 trips in an half hour. No straining, no crying, and he seemed normal while he was going. He has been acting completely normal. Normal eating, pooping, playing with his toys and terrorizing his older brothers. I am watching him like a hawk as I am concerned about crystals or a blockage. I have also had cats with UTIs with similar symptoms but when they had them they just looked and acted sick. Not this guy.
So, I know that cats are experts at hiding pain, but with his level of play today, I just can't imagine he is in pain. Is it possible that some cats just "normally" pee a little at a time?
Honestly, just trying to avoid an unnecessary trip to the vet--$$ is a little tight as I have just had to put my other beloved kidney cat to sleep last week and I need to replenish the "cat bank." But obviously, I will bring him in an urgent situation, but given his behavior, I am not sure there is one now. Thoughts?

It sounds like he may be getting a bladder infection.  If you have ever had one, you would know that it feels like you always have to pee and you keep going and going little bits at a time.  Four to five trips in half an hour is totally abnormal. Nothing is going to fix it except medication and its extremely uncomfortable.   He's not acting sick yet because it's just starting, so don't wait for him to get worse.  I think a trip to the vet is necessary in this case.

I would also agree with a vet visit sooner rather than later especially with the 4th of July approaching. With a male, a blockage is very possible and waiting until that happens is going to be more expensive in the long run (not to mention more painful for him).

Thank you both. We made a trip to the vet yesterday and his bladder was too small for them to get a urine sample. So, back we go today. In the meantime, they started him on antibiotics mixed with an anti-inflammatory. He had a good sized pee last night and a nice big one this morning.

So, once the urine is checked we can see what we are dealing with in terms of infection, or crystals. I am keeping my fingers crossed for just an infection.

So glad you took him to the vet and he is on the proper medication, and better yet, that it is working already!  Thanks for taking our advice, and I'm sure he thanks you too.